Published 25 August 2021
Officers from West Dunbartonshire Council responded to more than 1,500 COVID-19 enquiries over the course of the pandemic.
Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers received 538 enquiries from shops, restaurants and pubs as well as 300 requests for advice from businesses looking to keep customers safe.
Officers provided a further 528 interactions with businesses through visits and communications with 140 follow up visits required to individual premises. This resulted in four premises being given a written warning for not adhering to the strict Coronavirus guidelines.
Licensing Officers carried out 924 visits to licensed premises including pubs, restaurants and hotels to offer advice and ensure they were complying with Covid regulations and guidance and businesses have in place the necessary measures to keep their staff and their customers safe.
The Council also issued nearly 100 communications, including social media posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to provide support and guidance to residents and businesses.
Councillor Ian Dickson, Convener of Corporate Services, said: “Since the first lockdown, officers have provided extensive online support and advice to traders on implementing updated guidance, including on physical distancing and contact tracing. Our officers have worked tirelessly to protect and offer support to businesses and their customers to reduce the spread of the virus and we are grateful to them and all of the people who have alerted us to places needing checked.”
Councillor Iain McLaren, Vice Convener of Corporate Services, said: “I would like to thank our Officers who have worked together to protect our community and keep our residents safe during the pandemic and continue to do so. They have taken on a great deal of additional work due to Covid, and along with the initial visits, have conducted follow up visits to ensure businesses are following the regulations.”